california regional water quality valley view trailer village ... the salton sea. 11. ... this order...

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CALIFORNIA REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD

COLORADO RIVER BASIN REGION

BOARD ORDER R7-2016-0023

WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS

FOR

ALAN BABICH, OWNER/OPERATOR VALLEY VIEW TRAILER VILLAGE

DOMESTIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM Thermal - Riverside County

The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Colorado River Basin Region (Colorado River Basin Water Board), finds that:

1. Alan Babich, 2249 Historic Decatur, Suite 79, San Diego, CA 92106 (Discharger), owns and operates Valley View Trailer Village; which consists of 42 mobile home spaces, located at 88-041 Airport Boulevard, Thermal, CA 92274. Valley View Trailer Village (Facility) is shown on the Vicinity Map in Attachment A, which is incorporated herein and made a part of this Board Order by reference; in the northwest ¼ of the northwest ¼ of Section 23, Township 6 South, Range 8 East, San Bernardino Base & Meridian. The property’s Assessor’s Parcel Number is 757100015-4, and the latitude and longitude coordinates are 33.6397 degrees north and 116.1278 degrees west.

2. The Facility generates a maximum 8,000 gallons per day (gpd) based on an estimate of 100 residents discharging 80 gallons per day per resident. The treated domestic wastewater is pumped approximately 300 feet through a system of septic tanks into three passive oxidation basins for treatment and disposal by evaporation and percolation.

3. This Facility has been subject to Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) Order 90-062 adopted by the Colorado River Basin Water Board on September 19, 1990. The Discharger submitted a Report of Waste Discharge dated August 19, 2015, to update the WDRs. This Order updates Order 90-062 to reflect current laws and regulations applicable to the discharge. Previously, the Facility was regulated by Board Orders 85-069 and 78-25 and Resolution 67-12.

4. The Discharger and this Board Order are identified in the California Integrated Water Quality System (CIWQS) by Waste Discharge Identification (WDID) Number 7A33100001.

5. Wastewater is discharged to one of the oxidation basins at a time. The discharge to the basins is alternated to allow each basin to periodically dry up.

6. This Board Order regulates the entire wastewater collection, treatment and disposal system (Wastewater Treatment System, or WWTS) at Valley View Trailer Village. The Wastewater Treatment System consists of collection lines, one independent septic tank, and three passive oxidation basins (Basins). Solids that accumulate in the primary septic tank are periodically pumped by a licensed septage hauler for offsite disposal at a facility permitted for that purpose.

Valley View Trailer Village Board Order R7-2016-0023 Wastewater Treatment System Waste Discharge Requirements

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Hydrogeologic Conditions

7. Annual precipitation in the vicinity averages about 4 inches per year.

8. Annual evaporation rate in the vicinity is about 66 inches per year.

9. Daily and monthly evaporation rates vary by season, with highest evaporation rates occurring during the months of May through August, and the lowest during the months of November through February.1

10. The WWTS and its associated discharge are located within the Coachella Hydrologic Unit. Surface and groundwater of the basin drain to the Whitewater River, which flows to the Salton Sea.

11. The Basins are located about one-half mile east of the Whitewater River, a water of the United States, on a sandy alluvial floodplain where the soil is very permeable.

12. There is one domestic well about 500 feet from the WWTS. Shallow groundwater is too saline for domestic purposes (over 1,000 mg/L TDS), and useable groundwater is at a depth of about 400 feet below ground surface.

13. There are no significant faults in the vicinity of the WWTS.

Basin Plan, Beneficial Uses, and Regulatory Considerations

14. The Water Quality Control Plan for the Colorado River Basin Region of California (Basin Plan), which was adopted on November 17, 1993, and amended on November 16, 2012, designates the beneficial uses of ground and surface waters in this Region and contains implementation programs and policies to achieve objectives.

15. The discharge is within the Coachella Hydrologic Unit. The Basin Plan designates the

following beneficial uses for ground waters in the Coachella Hydrologic Unit:

a. Municipal supply (MUN), b. Industrial (IND), and c. Agricultural supply (AGR)

16. WDRs implement numeric and narrative water quality objectives for ground and surface waters established by the Basin Plan. The numeric objectives for groundwater designated for municipal and domestic supply are the maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) specified in sections 64431, 64444, and 64678 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), and the bacteriological limits specified in section 64426.1 of Title 22, CCR.

1 Based on Western Regional Climate Center Data for Indio Fire Station and Yuma Citrus Station


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17. Section 13267 of the California Water Code (CWC) authorizes the regional water boards to require technical and monitoring reports. The Monitoring and Reporting Program (MRP) establishes monitoring and reporting requirements to implement federal and state requirements

18. State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) Resolution 68-16 (“Policy with Respect to Maintaining High Quality Waters of the State”) (hereinafter Resolution 68-16) requires the Colorado River Basin Water Board in regulating the discharge of waste to maintain high quality waters of the State (i.e., historic background water quality) until it is demonstrated that any change in quality will be consistent with maximum benefit to the people of the State, will not unreasonably affect beneficial uses, and will not result in water quality less than as described in plans and policies (e.g. violation of any water quality objective). Moreover, and in any event the Discharger is required to implement best practicable treatment or control (BPTC) of the discharge necessary to assure that pollution or nuisance will not occur, and that the highest water quality consistent with maximum benefit to the people will be maintained.

19. Constituents in domestic wastewater effluent that present the greatest risk to groundwater quality are nitrogen, coliforms (pathogen-indicator organisms), and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS).

20. Discharge to the Basins contains undisinfected wastewater. Public contact with undisinfected wastewater is precluded through fencing of the Basins. The nearest supply well is located about 500 feet away from the discharge.

21. Groundwater in the area of the proposed discharge is too saline for municipal use. The Colorado River Basin Water Board finds that groundwater near the site is not and cannot reasonably be expected to be a source of municipal or domestic supply. Given the low discharge volumes reported by the Discharger and the poor quality of the first-encountered groundwater, the discharge should not unreasonably affect beneficial uses of waters of the state. Therefore, the treated discharge into the Basins, as regulated by these WDRs, is consistent with Resolution 68-16 and applicable water quality objectives in the Basin Plan.

22. This Order establishes WDRs pursuant to Division 7, Chapter 4, Article 4, of the CWC for discharges that are not subject to regulation under Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 402 (33 U.S.C. Section 1342).

23. Pursuant to CWC section 13263(g), the discharge of waste is a privilege, not a right, and adoption of this Order does not create a vested right to continue the discharge.

24. It is the policy of the State of California that every human being has the right to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water adequate for human consumption, cooking, and sanitary purposes. This Order promotes that policy by requiring discharges to meet maximum contaminant levels designed to protect human health and ensure that water is safe for domestic use.

25. In accordance with section 15301, Chapter 3, Title 14 of the CCR, the issuance of these WDRs, which govern the operation of an existing facility involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that previously existing, is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA, Public Resources Code, Section 21000 et seq.).


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26. The Colorado River Basin Water Board has notified the Discharger and all known interested agencies and persons of its intent to update WDRs for said discharge and has provided them with an opportunity for a public meeting and an opportunity to submit comments.

27. The Colorado River Basin Water Board in a public meeting heard and considered all comments pertaining to this discharge.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, that Board Order 90-062 is rescinded upon the adoption date of this Order, except for enforcement purposes, and, in Order to meet the provisions contained in Division 7 of the CWC, and regulations adopted thereunder, the Discharger shall comply with the following:

A. Effluent Limitations

1. Daily wastewater flow to the Basins shall not exceed 8,000 gpd.

2. The dissolved oxygen content in the upper zone (one foot) of the Basins shall not be less than 1.0 mg/L.

B. Prohibitions

1. The direct discharge of any wastewater to surface waters or surface drainage courses is prohibited.

2. Bypass or overflow of untreated or partially treated waste is prohibited.

3. Discharge of waste classified as “hazardous”, as defined in Title 23, CCR, Section 2521(a), or “designated”, as defined in California Water Code Section 13173, is prohibited.

4. Discharge of treated wastewater to a location or in a manner other than described in this Board Order is prohibited.

5. The Discharger shall not accept waste in excess of the design treatment capacity of the WWTS.

C. Specifications

1. The treatment or disposal of wastes at the WWTS shall not cause pollution or nuisance as defined in Sections 13050(l) and 13050(m) of Division 7 of the California Water Code, respectively.

2. The Basins shall be designed and operated to maintain a minimum freeboard of two (2) feet at all times and freeboard shall be utilized for wake and waves of fluid motion, and emergency or natural disaster purposes only.

3. The Basins shall be managed to prevent breeding of mosquitoes. In particular:

a. An erosion control program should assure that small coves and irregularities are not created around the perimeter of the water surface.


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b. Weeds shall be minimized through control of water depth, harvesting, or herbicides.

c. Dead algae, vegetation, and debris shall not accumulate on the water surface.

4. The Basins shall be operated and maintained to prevent inundation or washout due to a 100-year storm event.

5. The Basins shall have sufficient capacity to accommodate design seasonal precipitation based on a 100-year storm event, distributed monthly in accordance with historical rainfall patterns.

6. The Basins shall be managed to maintain the effectiveness of the clay liner in minimizing percolation.

7. Public contact with undisinfected wastewater shall be precluded through such means as fences, signs, and other acceptable alternatives.

8. The discharge shall not cause degradation of any water supply.

9. No wastewater other than domestic wastewater shall be discharged into the Basins.

10. All septic tanks shall be accessible for cleaning and inspection.

D. Provisions

1. The Discharger shall comply with “Monitoring and Reporting Program R7-2016-0023" and future revisions thereto, which is incorporated herein and made a part of this Order by reference, as specified by the Colorado River Basin Water Board’s Executive Officer.

2. Prior to the implementation of any modifications to the WWTS which would result in a material change in the quality or quantity of wastewater treated or discharged, or any material change in the location of discharge, the Discharger shall report all pertinent information in writing to the Colorado River Basin Water Board and obtain revised requirements.

3. Prior to any change in ownership or management of this operation, the Discharger shall transmit a copy of this Order to the succeeding owner/operator, and forward a copy of the transmittal letter to the Colorado River Basin Water Board.

4. The Discharger shall ensure that all site operating personnel are familiar with the content of this Order and shall maintain a copy of this Order at the site.

5. This Order does not authorize violation of any federal, state, or local laws or regulations.

6. Facilities shall be available to keep the wastewater disposal facilities in operation in the event of commercial power failure.

7. The Discharger shall allow the Colorado River Basin Water Board, or an authorized representative, upon presentation of credentials and other documents as may be required by law, to:

a. Enter upon the premises regulated by this Order, or the place where records must be kept under the conditions of this Order;


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b. Have access to and copy, at reasonable times, any records that shall be kept under the conditions of this Order;

c. Inspect at reasonable times any facilities, equipment (including monitoring and control equipment), practices, or operations regulated or required under this Order; and

d. Sample or monitor at reasonable times, for the purpose of assuring compliance with this Order or as otherwise authorized by the California Water Code, any substances or parameters at this location.

8. The Discharger shall comply with all of the conditions of this Order. Any noncompliance with this Order constitutes a violation of the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act and is grounds for enforcement action.

9. The Discharger shall at all times properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems of treatment and control (and related appurtenances) that are installed or used by the Discharger to achieve compliance with this Order. Proper operation and maintenance also includes adequate laboratory controls and appropriate quality assurance procedures.

10. This Order does not convey any property rights of any sort or any exclusive privileges, nor does it authorize any injury to private property or any invasion of personal rights, nor any infringement of federal, state, or local laws or regulations.

11. Unless otherwise approved by the Colorado River Basin Water Board’s Executive Officer, all analyses shall be conducted at a laboratory certified for such analyses. All analyses shall be conducted in accordance with the latest edition of “Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for Analysis of Pollutants”, promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

12. Adequate measures shall be taken to assure that flood or surface drainage waters do not erode or otherwise render portions of the discharge facilities inoperable.

13. Adequate measures shall be taken to assure that unauthorized persons are effectively excluded from contact with the wastewater disposal facilities.

14. The Discharger is the responsible party for the WDRs and the monitoring and reporting program for the WWTS. The Discharger shall comply with all conditions of these WDRs. Violations may result in enforcement actions, including Colorado River Basin Water Board Orders or court Orders, requiring corrective action or imposing civil monetary liability, or in modification or revocation of these WDRs by the Colorado River Basin Water Board..

15. The Discharger shall retain records of all monitoring information including all calibration and maintenance records, copies of all reports required by this Order, and records of all data used to complete the application for this Order. Records shall be maintained for a minimum of five years from the date of the sample, measurement, or report. This period may be extended during the course of any unresolved litigation regarding this discharge or when requested by the Colorado River Basin Water Board’s Executive Officer.


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16. The Discharger shall dispose of the untreated sludge from the septic tanks via a licensed hauler to an offsite facility permitted for that purpose. Otherwise, the Discharger shall obtain written approval from the Colorado River Basin Water Board’s Executive Officer specifying location and method of disposal, before disposing of untreated sludge, or similar solid waste materials. In addition, the Discharger shall provide the results of any sludge analyses as specified by the Colorado River Basin Water Board’s Executive Officer.

17. The Colorado River Basin Water Board and the Director of the County Environmental Health Department shall be notified immediately of any failure of the wastewater containment facilities. Such failure shall be promptly corrected in accordance with the requirements of this Order.

18. The Discharger shall remove and relocate any wastes which are discharged at this site in violation of these requirements.

19. The Colorado River Basin Water Board will review this Order periodically and may revise requirements when necessary.

20. All site operating personnel shall receive training on how to minimize pollutant discharges to the Basins. This instruction should include the following topics:

a. Proper disposal of materials handled at the WWTS. b. Methods to wash tools and other objects so that no contaminants are introduced

into the Basins. c. Methods to wash hands so that no contaminants are introduced into the WWTS.

21. Any off-site disposal of septage shall be only to a legal point of disposal, with the approval of the legal disposal site owner and operator. For purposes of these requirements, a legal disposal site is one for which requirements have been established by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board and which is in full compliance therewith. Any septage handling shall be in such a manner as to prevent its reaching surface waters or watercourses.

22. The Discharger shall report any noncompliance which may endanger health or the environment. Any such information shall be provided verbally to the Colorado River Basin Water Board’s Executive Officer within 24 hours from the time the Discharger becomes aware of the circumstances. A written submittal shall also be provided within five days of the time the Discharger becomes aware of the circumstances. The written submittal shall contain a description of the noncompliance and its cause; the period of noncompliance, including exact dates and times; and if the noncompliance has not been corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to continue and steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent recurrence of the noncompliance. The Colorado River Basin Water Board’s Executive Officer, or an authorized representative, may waive the written report on a case-by-case basis, if the oral report has been received within 24 hours.

23. All monitoring instruments and devices used by the Discharger to fulfill the prescribed monitoring program shall be properly maintained and calibrated as necessary to ensure their continued accuracy.

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CALIFORNIA REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD COLORADO RIVER BASIN REGION

MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM R7-2016-0023

FOR

ALAN BABICH, OWNER/OPERATOR

VALLEY VIEW TRAILER VILLAGE

DOMESTIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM

Thermal - Riverside County

MONITORING

1. This Monitoring and Reporting Program (MRP) describes requirements for monitoring a wastewater system and groundwater quality (when needed). This MRP is issued pursuant to California Water Code (Water Code) section 13267. The Discharger shall not implement any changes to this MRP unless and until a revised MRP is issued by the Executive Officer.

2. Water Code section 13267 states, in part:

“In conducting an investigation specified in subdivision (a), the Colorado River Basin Water Board may require that any person who has discharged, discharges, or is suspected of having discharged or discharging, or who proposes to discharge waste within its region, or any citizen or domiciliary, or political agency or entity of this state who has discharged, discharges, or is suspected of having discharged or discharging, or who proposes to discharge, waste outside of its region that could affect the quality of waters within its region shall furnish, under penalty of perjury, technical or monitoring program reports which the regional board requires. The burden, including costs, of these reports shall bear a reasonable relationship to the need for the report and the benefits to be obtained from the reports. In requiring those reports, the regional board shall provide the person with a written explanation with regard to the need for the reports, and shall identify the evidence that supports requiring that person to provide the reports.”

3. Water Code section 13268 states, in part:

“(a) (1) Any person failing or refusing to furnish technical or monitoring program reports as required by subdivision (b) of § 13267, or failing or refusing to furnish a statement of compliance as required by subdivision (b) of Section 13399.2, or falsifying any information provided therein, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and may be liable civilly in accordance with subdivision (b). (b) (1) Civil liability may be administratively imposed by a regional board in accordance with Article 2.5 (commencing with § 13323) of Chapter 5 for a violation of subdivision (a) in an amount which shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each day in which the violation occurs.”

4. The Discharger owns and operates the wastewater system that is subject to Board Order R7-2016-0023. The reports are necessary to ensure that the Discharger complies with the Order. Pursuant to Water Code section 13267, the Discharger shall implement the MRP and shall submit monitoring reports described herein.

Valley View Trailer Village Board Order R7-2016-0023 Wastewater Treatment System Monitoring and Reporting Program

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5. All samples shall be representative of the volume and nature of the discharge or matrix of material sampled. The time, date, and location of each grab sample shall be recorded on the sample chain of custody form. If composite samples are collected, the basis for sampling (time or flow weighted) shall be approved by Colorado River Basin Water Board staff.

6. Field test instruments (such as those used to test pH, dissolved oxygen, and electrical conductivity) may be used provided that:

a. The user is trained in proper use and maintenance of the instruments;

b. The instruments are field calibrated prior to monitoring events at the frequency recommended by the manufacturer;

c. Instruments are serviced and/or calibrated by the manufacturer at the recommended frequency; and

d. Field calibration reports are submitted as described in the “Reporting” section of this MRP.

7. The collection, preservation and holding times of all samples shall be in accordance with U. S. Environmental Protection Agency approved procedures. Unless otherwise approved by the Colorado River Basin Water Board Executive Officer, all analyses shall be conducted by a certified laboratory. All analyses shall be conducted in accordance with the latest edition of the “Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for Analysis of Pollutants” (40 CFR Part 136), promulgated by the USEPA.

8. The Discharger shall retain records of all monitoring information, including all calibration and maintenance records and all original strip chart recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation, copies of all reports required under Board Order R7-2015-0039, and records of all data used to complete the application for the Order, for a period of at least five (5) years from the date of the sample, measurement, report or application. Records of monitoring information shall include:

a. The date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurement(s); b. The individual(s) who performed the sampling or measurement(s); c. The date(s) analyses were performed; d. The individual(s) who performed the analyses; e. The analytical techniques or method used; and f. The results of such analyses.

Septic Tank Monitoring

1. All septic tanks shall be inspected and/or pumped at least as frequently as described below.

Inspections of sludge and scum depth are not required if the tanks are pumped at least

annually.

Parameter Units

Measurement

Type

Inspection/Reporting

Frequency

Sludge depth and scum thickness

in each compartment of each tank Feet Staff Gauge Annually

Distance between bottom of scum Inches Staff Gauge Annually

Valley View Trailer Village Board Order R7-2016-0023 Wastewater Treatment System Monitoring and Reporting Program

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layer and bottom of outlet device

Distance between top of sludge

layer and bottom of outlet device Inches Staff Gauge Annually

2. Septic tanks shall be pumped when any one of the following conditions exists:

a. The combined thickness of sludge and scum exceeds one-third of the tank depth of the first compartment.

b. The scum layer is within 3 inches of the outlet device.

c. The sludge layer is within 8 inches of the outlet device.

3. If a septic tank is pumped during the year, the pumping report shall be submitted with the annual report. At a minimum, the record shall include the date, nature of service, service company name, and service company license number.

Reporting

1. The Discharger shall arrange the data in tabular form so that the specified information is readily discernible. The data shall be summarized in such a manner as to clearly illustrate whether the Wastewater Treatment System is operating in compliance with Colorado River Basin Water Board.

2. Records of monitoring information shall include:

a. The date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurement(s); b. The individual(s) who performed the sampling or measurement(s); c. The date(s) analyses were performed; d. The individual(s) who performed the analyses; e. The analytical techniques or method used; and f. The results of such analyses.

3. Each report shall contain the following statement:

“I declare under the penalty of law that I have personally examined and am familiar with the information submitted in this document, and that based on my inquiry of those individuals immediately responsible for obtaining the information, I believe that the information is true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations.

4. A duly authorized representative of the Discharger may sign the documents if:

a. The authorization is made in writing by the person described above; b. The authorization specified an individual or person having responsibility for the overall

operation of the regulated disposal system; and c. The written authorization is submitted to the Colorado River Basin Water Board’s

Executive Officer.

5. Report immediately any failure in the waste disposal system to the Colorado River Basin Water Board and the Director of the County Environmental Health Department by telephone with follow-up by letter.

6. Describe any changes in the operating procedure during the reporting period.

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ATTACHMENT A

VICINITY MAP VALLEY VIEW TRAILER VILLAGE

DOMESTIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM

Thermal - Riverside County

Board Order R7-2016-0023

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ATTACHMENT B

SEWAGE COLLECTION DIAGRAM VALLEY VIEW TRAILER VILLAGE

DOMESTIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM Thermal - Riverside County

Board Order R7-2016-0023

WEST

BASIN

EAST

BASINS

42 TRAILER UNITS

SEPTIC TANK

GR

AV

ITY

DR

IVEN

SEW

AG

E C

OLL

ECTI

ON

SYS

TEM

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california regional water quality valley view trailer village ... the salton sea. 11. ... this order...

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